Draft regulating apparatus



p 1941- R. A. WALKER 2,254,505

DRAFT R EGULAT ING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 6, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet l a v Z 3m entor Hg Wan/M q 7%? (Ittorneg Sept. 2, 1941. WALKER 2,254,505;

DRAFT REGULAT ING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 6, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 2, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,254,505 DRAFT REGULATING APPARATUS Richard A. Walker, St. Joseph, Mo. Application February 6, 1939, Serial No. 254,817

Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in draft regulating apparatus particularly adapted for regulating the draft in smoke pipes of stoves, furnaces and the like.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of a novel draft apparatus of the kind described which is particularly adapted for use with fiues of strong draft pressure, and having novel means for manually regulating the draft to suit different temperatures and different stoves or furnaces; and having novel means for indicating the draft pressure in the smoke pipe at the time; and provided with novel means by which the desired draft will be automatically retained, after the manual adjustment, regardless of the draft fluctuations due to atmospheric or other conditions.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a novel draft regulating apparatus which is, simple, cheaply made and easily and quickly installed in operative condition, which can be easily and quickly adjusted to suit different positions of the smoke pipe where the apparatus is installed, which is strong, durable, not likely to get out of order, and which is efllcient in operation.

The novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the preferred embodiment of my invention:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view, showing the pipe vertically disposed and the indicating pointer registering with the Med. draft designation on the dial, the damper being shown partly closed.

Fig. 2 is a top view, showing the pipe vertical and the damper fully open.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical fragmental sectional view, showing the pipe vertical and the pointer indicating "low on the dial.

Fig. 4 is a side View, showing the pipe horizontally disposed and the vane closed or in the low position.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation, showing the pipe vertical, and the vane in the high draft position.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of what is shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a side elevation, showing the pipe inclined, and the vane in the closed or "low position.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged side elevation of the dial.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged top view of the dial.

Similar characters of reference designate similar parts in the different views.

I designates the body of a T pipe joint, and 2 the lateral pipe section or tubular arm, the opening therethrough communicating, as usual with the interior of the body I and with the outside atmosphere.

In the body I is pivoted the usual damper 3, disposed between the discharge end of said body and the arm 2, as shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 7.

In the outer end of the arm 2 is circumferentially fitted a vane support comprising a ring 4, which is held in its adjusted position by a clamping screw 5 provided with a nut 6 and extending through two ears I provided at the outer end of the arm 2. By turning the screw 5, the ring 4 may be clamped tightly after its adjustment.

In the arm 2 is disposed a vane or damper 8 having for its axis two alined pins 9 disposed above the horizontal plane of the center of the vane 8 and respectively pivoted in two eyes I0 provided on the ring 4 adjacent to opposite edges of the vane.

The vane 8 above its axis has a transverse threaded hole in which is fitted a screw l2 having on it a tightly fitted nut II' and a head I2, the nut, head and screw comprising a weight which is adjustable transversely to the axis of the vane 8, whereby the weight may be adjusted inwardly or outwardly so as to require different draft pressures for swinging the lower edge of the vane inwardly from the closed position, shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 7.

Circumferentially adjustable around the opening through the arm 2 is a pressure draft designating means comprising a dial plate I3 disposed edge up, and preferably fastened at its outer end to the bottom and inner side of the ring 4, so as to be circumferentially adjustable with the ring 4.

Opposite sides of the dial plate I3, which extends inwardly from the ring 4, are inscribed with the pressure designating symbols low, Med. and high arranged in an arcuate row in the order named, "low being adjacent to the ring 4,

For indicating on the dial plate I3 the draft pressure in the pipe at the time, means actuated by the vane 8 are provided, which as shown, comprises a pointer I4 attached to the vane 8 at the periphery thereof and which, registers with the inscriptions on the dial, as the vane swings inwardly and outwardly. A lateral projection I5 on the dial plate I3 limits the outward swinging of the lower edge of the vane to the closed position shown in Fig. 3. A lateral projection I6 on the inner end of the dial plate l3 limits the inward swinging of the lower edge of the vane 8.

In the operation of adjusting the apparatus, the T joint is inserted in the smoke pipe with which it is to be used, the ring 4 being then adjusted in the arm 2 to a position in which the axis of the vane 8 will be horizontal, irrespective as to whether the body is vertical, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, 5 and 6; or horizontal, as shown in Fig. 4; or inclined,..as shown inEig. 7.. V

The damper 3 is'turned to the openiposition shown in Fig. 2. The screw weight I 2 is then adjusted in the vane 8 to a predetermined position, which is arbitrarily determined, to suit the particular type of furnace with which the apparatus is to be associated with, and tothe particular draft required'for such furnace. The adjustment of the weight l2 determines theijdraft'pres-' sure required to swing the lower edge of the va inwardly from the closed position.

".The'damper-S is then adjusted tosuit the strength of draft'pressure required at the time in 'the furnace. If the" day ismild, the damper} iisiturnedito near; the closed position, upon which the draft in the body I and, consequently, in .the

.arm 2, will hey so. restricted that the vane i, will swingto near the position shown in Fig. 3, and the pointer .will indicate low.

If .the:atmospheric outside temperature is cold er; and'more furnace draftis desired, the damper '3 is turned rso' that 'the;pointer I4 will indicate Med.v on the 'dial: [3, as is shown in Fig. 1.

If the outside temperature is'very cold, and a highadraftis required in the furnace, the damper 3 is turned tonearer the openiposition, as shown for insertion into a smoke pipe as a part thereof, and a lateral pipe section the opening therethrough communicating with the interior of the body and the outside air, a manually adjustable damper in said body between the discharge end thereof and said lateral pipe section, a vane in said opening operable by differences in pressure at opposite sides thereof, and supporting means for said vane adjustable circumferentially in the .plane of the axis of said vane of. means carried by said supporting meanslfoi' designating different draft pressures, and means actuated by said vane for indicating on said pressure designating means the draft pressure in said smoke pipe at :the time.

v 3. In a draft regulating apparatus, in combination, a T joint having a tubular body, adapted for insertion into a smoke pipe as a part thereof,

in'Fig. 6; upon which the vane-8 will swing to the iposition'shown' in- Fig. (hand the pointer M will indicate high" on the .dial.

Therpointer i4 and the dial l3 serve to guide the operator in adjusting'the damper 3, toqsuit the furnace draft desired at the particular time.

After suchsadjustment :has' been made, the vane -8 will automatically. swing to retain the desired draft 'regardless' ofifiuctuations of draft pressure inthe flue, 1

Manymodificationsof my invention; within the scopeof the appended claims, may; be made without departing from the: spiritofzmy invention. What 'I' "claim .is: 1. Ina draft regulatinglapparatus, in'combination, a T joint having a tubular body, adapted 'forinser ticn into a smoke pipe. as apart thereof, 'and a lateral pipe. section the opening therethrough communicating 'With the interior of .the body and the outside air; a" manually adjustable damper in said body between .the discharge end thereof and said. lateral pipe section, avane in said opening operable by differences in pressure at opposite sides thereof, and supporting means for said vane adjustable circumferentially in the plane of the axis of'the vane; of means adjustable with said supporting means for-designating difi'erent draft. pressures, and means actuated by said vane for indicating on said pressure designating'means the draft pressure-in said smoke pipe:at the time. b

2.- Ina draft regulating apparatus, in combination, a T joint'having a tubular body, adapted.

and a lateral pipe section the opening there- .through communicating with the interior of the f body :and the outside air, a manually-adjustable "damper in -;said body-(between; the discharge end thereof and. said :lateral pipe section; a vane 'in said opening operable by differences inpressure atr-opposite: sides thereof, and supporting means Zfor? said vane adjustable circumferentially inthe ;plane of the axis :of the vane, of means carried by said supporting-means for designating different draft "pressures,"and meanson said vanefor-in- :dicating on said-pressuredesignating means the draft pressure in the smoke pipe at the time. 1 "'4. 'lrna draft regulating .apparatus,.in combination, a T "joint having la tubular body adapted for. insertion into a'smokelpipe as a part thereof and a lateral I pipe section the opening xthere through communicating withzthe interior of said body and the outside air, a manuallyadju'stabie damper in said body betweenthe discharge end thereof and said pipe section, airing circumferentially adjustable-onlsaidpipe section, a vane -pivoted in andto said ring on an axis transverse thereto operable hy difference in draft pressure and adjustable with said ring and-extending therefrom in longitudinal alinement .with said opening and having means designating different draft pressures, a'ndmeans on said vane at the periphery thereof forindicating on said designatin; means the 'dr'aft I pressure in the smoke I pipe at'the time.-

5. The combination with a furnace draft flu'e having-an air reliefopening, a damper supporting-framefmounted atfsaid opening, a draft respon'sive damper pivotally mounted within said frame, a dial plate calibrated terms of 5 draft attached to said frame and extending into said opening, an indicator -carried by saiddamper and cooperating with said dial plate to indicate the draft, a manually adjustable damper mounted within said'fiue between-said air relief "opening and the discharge end of said flue, saidman- 'ually'adjustable' damper being adjustable until said'iric'iicator registers with the desired fdraft calibration upon said dial plate, 's'aid draft responsive damper'thenoperating to maintain said dra' r 4 'RICHARD A. 

